cavia porcellus

Friendly

Word: Cavia porcellus

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: "Cavia porcellus" is the scientific name for the guinea pig, a small rodent that is often kept as a pet. They are originally from South America and are known for their friendly nature.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "Cavia porcellus" when you want to refer to the guinea pig in a scientific or formal context.
• In everyday conversation, simply use "guinea pig."

Example:

• "The Cavia porcellus is a popular pet in many households due to its gentle character."
• "I have a Cavia porcellus at home, and I named it Peanut."

Advanced Usage:

• In scientific discussions or studies about animal behavior, you might encounter "Cavia porcellus" to indicate research focused on guinea pigs’ habitats, diets, or genetics.

Word Variants:

• "Guinea pig" is the common name for Cavia porcellus.
• The term "cavy" can also refer to guinea pigs and their relatives.

Different Meanings:

• In a non-scientific context, "guinea pig" can also refer to a person who is used to test something new or experimental, similar to how guinea pigs are used in research.
  • Example: "I felt like a guinea pig during the experiment."

Synonyms:

• Cavy (general term for guinea pigs and related species)
• Pets (in the context of domesticated animals)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "Cavia porcellus," the phrase "like a guinea pig" can be used to describe someone who is testing something new or unproven.
  • Example: "I felt like a guinea pig when I tried the new dish at the restaurant."

Academic

Noun

1. South American cavy; possibly ancestral to the domestic guinea pig

Synonyms

• aperea
• wild cavy
• Cavia porcellus